His time in the ship's hospital involved post operative rehabilitation for patients undergoing orthopaedic, burns and plastic surgery. Nick was also a member of a team introducing to West Africa what is known as the Ponseti Management Program for treatment of Clubfoot in children. The program has been used elsewhere around the world for more than 50 years. The Africa Mercy orthopaedic team provided training for local doctors, surgeons, physios and orthotists.
In many African nations the abnormality of Clubfoot is very common. It is sometimes viewed as a curse, making such children outcasts. The Ponseti technique requires only minor surgery to lengthen the Achilles tendon as the child grows. The child may need to wear some type of foot brace, and the entire process requires 20 visits over four years.
Nick describes the work being done by volunteers serving with Mercy Ships as very important. "It was the most amazing thing I have every done. I am glad I was able to use the skills I have learned to show God's love to those who clearly need it.
In Togo and other African countries most people cannot afford basic health care, and it was so wonderful seeing someone with horrific orthopaedic deformities walking for the first time upright following surgery. That is seeing God in action."
"During my time in Togo, I saw more lives torn apart by physical disability and deformity than during my whole life. That does have an impact on even the most hardy. Some of things I saw honestly brought me to tears.
"In the Word of God we read that when we feed the hungry, give a drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked and care for the sick, we are doing it to God himself. Being in Togo and doing some of those kinds of things, I have experienced something amazing. When you do such things and see the smiles on the faces of those you help, you really do see God himself smiling back at you through such people."
"I went with the expectation of seeing through the work of Mercy Ships hope and healing coming to some of the world's poorest, and I was privileged to see God at work changing the lives of many. I hope to serve again with the charity," Nick concludes.
Mercy Ships is a global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978 providing free health care and community development services to the forgotten poor. Working in partnership with local people, Mercy Ships empowers communities to help themselves. The result is a way out of poverty.
The emphasis is on the needs of the world's poorest nations in West Africa, where the world's largest charity hospital ship Africa Mercy, with a crew of more than 450 volunteer, provides the platform for services extending up to ten months at a time.
Mercy Ships works on land-based projects in Sierra Leone in partnership with other organisations, while teams also work in several nations of Central America and the Caribbean. Mercy Ships Australia, one of 14 international support offices is based on the Queensland Sunshine Coast. www.mercyships.org.au